Self Doubt to Self Belief: My Journey with Imposter Syndrome

My story begins at 16 when I moved out on my own. Determined? Absolutely. Scared? You bet. Clueless about adulting? Oh, 100%. I was figuring it all out—my idea of a “budget” was simply making sure I had enough for ramen and rent. College applications? I sent two of the three to the wrong schools. It was classic teenage chaos, but I got into one. I thought to myself, "Maybe this is fate giving me a little break."

Once in college, I dabbled in pre-med, thinking it was my ticket to the safety and stability I never had. That plan lasted two weeks. Blood was not my thing. 🩸😳 So, I switched to psychology, which felt like a form of “me-search.” I was eager to understand myself and why I often felt like I was faking it—trying to fit in and prove that I belonged.

Graduate school felt like a necessary next step, not just for the love of learning but because a Ph.D. seemed like the ultimate "anti-imposter" credential. I thought it would be my armor against self-doubt, proof that I was qualified for anything. I joked about becoming a "doctor of feelings," since I still fainted at the sight of blood. But despite all the academic accolades, the real world felt like a different game, and I often felt like an imposter, still trying to "earn" my place.

When it came to work, imposter syndrome was my constant companion. After graduation, I landed my first “big girl job” and even negotiated a small salary bump. It felt like a huge victory, given that I’d read too many articles about women not asking. But even after that win, imposter syndrome was always lurking. I overworked, took on tasks that weren’t mine, and allowed others to take credit, thinking it was all part of "proving myself." I was terrified of being "found out," even though I was more than qualified.

At 26, I decided to apply for an Executive Director role that I was sure was out of my league. But a strong female leader saw something in me that I hadn’t recognized myself. She believed in me when I didn’t fully believe in myself, giving me an opportunity I never thought I’d get. But even after getting the job, imposter syndrome kept me playing small. I would sit in meetings (sometimes not even at the table, but taking the outside chair) feeling like a fraud, wondering when everyone would realize I wasn’t cut out for the role.

Then came the ultimate blow—a C-suite position opened up and with encouragement from a colleague, I applied. I barely got a phone interview, despite being just as qualified as the other candidates. Later, I learned they were instructed to hire a man. It wasn’t about my qualifications, but imposter syndrome twisted it into a personal failure. Still, I kept pushing forward, driven by that same scrappy 16-year-old who figured out how to survive on ramen and resilience.

The turning point came when a male colleague boldly announced his ambition for a role in my department. It struck me: why wasn’t I doing the same? Fueled by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith’s book on how women hold themselves back, I set up a meeting with the president. Despite my nerves, I made my pitch. I was still grappling with self-doubt, but I pushed through. To my surprise, the president was impressed, and soon I was appointed interim VP—later earning the position permanently.

But even as a VP, imposter syndrome never fully disappeared. I found myself sitting quietly at meetings, unsure whether to speak up, terrified of saying the wrong thing. But then I realized: my silence wasn’t helping anyone—not me, not the organization, and definitely not the women I wanted to inspire. It was time to show up as myself—imperfect but fully capable and confident.

That’s why I created my 4-week course, "Break Free from Imposter Syndrome." I’ve taken everything I’ve learned from my journey—over a decade of supervising and coaching women, hundreds of books, and thousands of hours of research—to develop a practical program to help women stop holding themselves back. It’s a blend of psychology, real-world strategies, and personal growth—everything I wish I’d had when I felt like an imposter at every step.

If you’re tired of feeling like you don’t belong or aren’t "enough," I’m here to tell you that you absolutely are. This course is for every woman who’s been sitting on the sidelines, waiting for permission to step up. It’s not about becoming perfect; it’s about being unapologetically you, recognizing your worth, and owning it.